POMPANO BEACH - Congressman Allen West makes his first public appearance since apparently losing his re-election bid to Democrat Patrick Murphy. (Source: CBS4)POMPANO BEACH - Congressman Allen West makes his first public appearance since apparently losing his re-election bid to Democrat Patrick Murphy. (Source: CBS4)

WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami) – Former GOP Congressman Allen West was one of the most prolific fundraisers in 2012 and he needed every dime of it.

According to Politico, West spent more than $18 million in 2012 to keep his seat in Congress. That’s roughly four times as much as his Democratic opponent Patrick Murphy spent, $4.2 million.

In the last few weeks of the race, Politico reported West spent $4.1 million to Murphy’s $880,000.

In the end it wasn’t enough as Murphy topped the Tea Party legend and captured his seat for the Democrats. West didn’t concede the race for more than a week and went to court twice to keep his seat, losing both times.

Politico reported West still has $1.5 million left in his campaign war chest.